Tennessee Finalizes Deal With Jeremy Pruitt

According to a report by ESPN, Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and the Volunteers are putting the finishing touches on a contract that will allow him to remain on the Crimson Tide staff as they prepare for the College Football Playoff and a semifinal date with Clemson. Alabama has led the nation in sacks the past two seasons with 54 in 2016 and 52 in 2015. He is also viewed by many as one of the top recruiters in the sport, .

With Georgia in 2014, Pruitt's defense ranked sixth in the SEC at 337.2 total yards per game.

It was reported earlier today that Pruitt added his first staff member in Colorado State's Will Friend. He's someone Nick Saban really counts on to help set the tone in development and recruiting. Will it be better than Butch Jones at the beginning?

The story began to pick up steam when Tennessee appeared to have hired Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano. This marks Tennessee's fourth coaching search since Fulmer was forced out in 2008. However, the school received incredible backlash, even White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders made a public comment on Facebook criticizing Tennessee for hiring someone with ties to the Jerry Sandusky abuse case.

Tennessee saw a coach almost get hired, then decided against it after fans protested the decision. Currie also flirted with Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm and N.C. State's Dave Doeren and Washington State's Mike Leach before being replaced by Fulmer.

It will be interesting to see if Copeland becomes the first of what is likely to be many elite prospects that come to Rocky Top to play for Coach Pruitt.

Pruitt, who has never been a head coach before, interviewed with new Tennessee athletics director Phillip Fulmer twice this week and quickly emerged as a favorite once Fulmer took control of the coaching search.

Pruitt was also a recent finalist for the Mississippi State head coaching position, but the Bulldogs hired Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead on November 28.